THE Government was given a pre-Christmas boost on the jobs front when unemployment fell by almost 100,000 and the number of people in work topped 30 million for the first time on record.

The jobless total fell by 99,000 in the quarter to October, the biggest cut in over a decade, to 2.39 million, giving a rate of 7.4 per cent, the lowest for over four years.

The number of people in work was 30.09 million, an increase of 250,000 over the quarter and of almost half a million compared with a year ago.

Private sector employment reached a record high of 24.4 million, and long-term and youth unemployment also fell.

But 1.47 million people were in part-time jobs because they could not find full-time work, the highest total since records began in 1992.

Other data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) showed a 45,000 fall in those classed as economically inactive, to 8.92 million - a rate of 22 per cent and the lowest since 1991.

The number of people claiming jobseekers allowance fell by 36,700 in November to 1.27 million, the 13th consecutive monthly cut.

The number of people unemployed for more than a year fell by 33,000 to 866,000, the lowest for over a year, while youth unemployment dipped by 19,000 to 941,000.

Public sector employment increased slightly, by 4,000, to 5.6 million, largely because of a rise in the NHS, although the figure fell by 11,000 in local government.

The employment rate for over-65s is now ten per cent, the highest since records began in 1992.

Average earnings increased by 0.9 per cent in the year to October, down by 0.1 per cent on the previous month, giving a weekly average of 476.

Employment Minister Esther McVey said: "It is really encouraging news that the number of people in jobs has increased by a quarter of a million in the last three months, bringing the total number of people in work to a record-breaking 30 million.

"Together with a big fall in unemployment, this shows that the Government's long-term economic plan to get people off benefits and into work is proving successful.

"It's also thanks to British businesses up and down the country who are feeling increasingly confident about taking on workers. This is a great sign that the economy is growing."

UNEMPLOYMENT BY REGION

Regional unemployment between August and October:
Region       Unemployed          Change     Rate


North-East     133,000           minus 3,000        10.1%
North West    257,000           minus 29,000      7.5%
Yorks/Humber 239,000          minus 6,000        8.6%
East Midlands 162,000          minus 6,000         6.9%
West Mids       240,000         minus 26,000        8.8%
East                 176,000        minus 35,000        5.6%
London             368,000        plus 8,000            8.5%
South East      266,000          minus 2,000         5.8%
South West     175,000          plus 8,000        6.4%
Wales              112,000         minus 7,000      7.4%
Scotland           196,000        minus 7,000       7.1%
N.Ireland         65,000           plus 5,000        7.5%